This simple Buffalo Chicken Wings Recipe deliciously blends savory and tangy flavors with a subtle, spicy kick!
Buffalo chicken wings are one of those truly American dishes. They originated from Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. There are a lot of stories circulating about exactly how Anchor Bar came up with these finger-licking favorites, but here’s the yarn I like the most: Teresa Bellissimo, the co-owner of the Anchor Bar, wanted to make a snack for her son and his friends. She looked around to see what was left and saw they had some chicken wings, so she fried them up and slathered them with hot sauce. It’s not the most spellbinding tale, but making meals out of scraps? Well, that’s as American as you can get!
This recipe tries to stay true to the original by keeping it simple. Each wing is perfectly crispy and coated in a tangy, buttery buffalo sauce that packs just the right amount of heat. I’m not into eating absurdly spicy wings—I wouldn’t last a second on the game show Hot Ones—so the heat isn’t too overwhelming. I think you’ll love the bold flavors these wings bring to the table.
Are Buffalo Chicken Wings Healthy?
Buffalo chicken wings aren’t typically known for their health benefits, but they are a good source of protein. Also, oven-baking is a fantastic alternative to frying, as it greatly reduces the fat content while retaining the wings’ satisfying texture and taste. This recipe does call for butter, but you can go with low-fat butter or use a plant-based butter if you’re lactose intolerant.
Baking Powder: A Key Ingredient
That’s right, everyone. Baking powder isn’t just for cakes, cookies, and pancakes. We all love the texture of fried buffalo wings. The calories? Not so much. Well, that’s where baking powder comes into play. Baking powder crisps up the chicken by reducing the moisture in the skin. The baking powder then creates these little bubbles, which brown the skin much faster than if you weren’t using baking powder. The results? You get to enjoy the crispy texture you love, but without the excess oil that comes with deep-frying.
How To Make Ahead And Store
Bake the wings as directed, let them cool, and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. When it comes time to reheat, set your oven to 350°F and bake the wings for about 15-20 minutes. Better yet, reheat them in your air fryer! I find that reheated chicken wings taste better that way.
Serving Suggestions
Go traditional and pair the wings with crunchy celery sticks and carrot sticks. And don’t forget to serve these buffalo wings with your favorite blue cheese or ranch dressings. Or, you can whip up this savory and tangy Yum Yum Sauce or this Orange Chicken Sauce for a completely different experience. When I make these for parties, I like to have other fun finger foods on hand, too, like Air-Fryer Cheese Curds, Sweet Potato Tater Tots, and Buffalo Cauliflower Wings.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken wings split and tips removed
- 1 tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/4 cup hot pepper sauce
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Instructions
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. Preheat your oven to 450°F. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with foil and placing a wire rack on top.
- In a small bowl, mix together the baking powder, sea salt, and garlic powder. Sprinkle this mixture over the chicken wings and toss to coat evenly. Arrange the wings on the wire rack.
- Bake the wings in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then, flip the wings and continue baking for an additional 25 minutes until they are crispy and fully cooked.
- While the wings are baking, prepare the buffalo sauce by combining the melted butter, hot pepper sauce, and sugar in a medium bowl.
- Once the wings are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the prepared buffalo sauce over the wings and toss to coat thoroughly. Serve hot with your choice of dipping sauce.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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